Performance Kia Everett Washington, Steve Lowry Strings attached to promise of 2 free sets of tires. Everett, Washington

 I leased an Optima and was informed by the salesman that I was automatically enrolled in their Tire Reward Program. As it was explained to me by the salesman, if I performed all scheduled and preventive maintenance, such as, oil changes, 15k, 30K and tire rotations, they (Performance Kia) would replace the tires when I turned in my lease. Over the course of the lease, the car was maintained almost exclusively by Performance KIA. Only exception is I had a KIA dealership in Colorado do a scheduled maintenance as I was on vacation when it was due.

In other words, I held up my "contractual obligation” to the letter of the contract. When I returned my lease, the associate I worked with ensured me on two separate occasions that the tires WERE being replaced by Performance KIA before they turned the car over to KIA Motirs Finance. All is well for about two months when I get a bill from KIA Motors Finance for excess wear and tear on my tires. ?????? That was a year ago. Numerous (more than six)phone calls and in person discussions were always met with "We’ll take care of it”.

I tried, yet again, to discuss the matter last Monday. I requested to speak with the leasing manager. He was out so I was directed to the general manager. The NEW GM informed me he has discontinued the program. As we discussed the matter further, he let me know that everyone I had been talking to for a year were no longer there. So it is my word against his and he was not going to even try to work with me and So frustrating working with them...

Jim,

Please read in full the response prior to posting.  It was clearly stated:

"please understand that the tire rewards program is completely different from the manufacturers warranty. Under the manufacturers warranty, you can definitely have any of your vehicles services done at ANY facility of your choice and keep it under warranty, as long as you have receipts to prove the maintenance was done."

What was being discussed regarding this report, is a rewards program that gives the customer 2 sets of tires in exchange for having all services done at this specific location.  Your feedback is always appreciated, however I believe misguided in this specific situation.

All the best

What this game is all about is for them to hook you into paying for their HIGH PRICE non warranty service!  You aren't getting a damned thing for free.  Please make it a priority to look around and ask around for a good independent mechanic you can form a business relationship with.  An independent mechanic is an individual who has a fully equipped shop with fully experienced mechanics.  Often times, the owner is one of those mechanics.  With an independent shop, you will generally find BETTER service, BETTER mechanics, BETTER customer service skills and certainly MUCH BETTER PRICES.  What you find at the dealership is POOR customer service, MUCH LOWER competency and PAY-THRU-THE-NOSE PRICES!  Please BEWARE of one of the lies dealers often tell customers:  "You are required to have your non-warranty work done HERE otherwise your manufacturer's warranty will be null and void."  This is a BOLD FACE LIE from the pit of hell.  As per FEDERAL LAW you can have non-warranty work done ANYWHERE, even do it yourself WITHOUT voiding the manufacturer's warranty!  Please read that again!  When I say "independent mechanic", I DO NOT mean Walmart, the quick oil change place or somebody who works out of a storage unit.  Again, what I mean is a fully equipped shop, not part of any dealership. 

Jessica I talked to Steve Lowery at Performance Kia about their Tire Rewards and your Rip Off Report. He explained to me why they were unable to give you the tires Based upon your not bringing the car to the shop for the proper timing of tire rotation, Which is stated in the contract they sent me a copy of what you agreed to. 

Contracts have a purpose Built in them. That is to make sure that everybody's on the same page with an agreement. I find that The folks at Performance Kia Have a mission to make every one of their customers happy as they possibly can. I was told that they are willing to make you a deal on a new set of tires when you're ready to purchase them and from what I understand correct me if I'm wrong Steve. That this dealership is willing to sell you a brand-new set of tires at their cost If you are currently ready for a new set of tires for your car.

As a consumer advocate for the automotive industry as well as the consumer my hat is definitely off to performance Kia.  Steve Again thanks for taking my phone call and thanks for Telling me your side of the story I really appreciate That you took the time to post your side of the story.   Thanks,

Jessica I stand up for automotive customers and I stand up for auto dealers and repair shops that are willing to take care of their customers. In this day and age, there are many automotive businesses that just do not care at all about their customers. Good automotive shops and auto dealers are very hard to find. I feel that Performance Kia does want your business. let them show you that they do care....

Steve again thanks

Ms. Berta,

I am very sorry that you are experiencing frustration in regards to our complimentary tire rewards program; that is definitely not our goal in offering two free sets of tires to our loyal service customers. I wanted to let you know that I have pulled your file, and we do have a copy, signed by you, of both the Performance Tire Rewards Certificate and the Customer Delivery Worksheet. I would be happy to make copies of these for you, or I can email you a scanned copy, so you can have them for your files.

Under the Performance Tire Rewards Certificate, provided to you at no charge, it states on the front page under maintenance requirements for new vehicles: To maintain your eligibility of this Certificate, you must have all maintenance services that are recommended by the manufacturer and/or dealer, performed at the dealers service department within the required service intervals. I am an individual that personally gets frustrated by anything in small print; I believe expectations in every transaction should be transparent and clear. So I want to assure you that this statement is in normal sized font on the front page of the Performance Tire Rewards Certificate that you signed.

Our service records of tire rotations for your vehicle are as follows:

-1st rotation: 7,913 miles
-2nd rotation: 17,038, a mileage difference of 9,125 miles
-3rd rotation: 32,980, a mileage difference of 15,942 miles

To maintain eligibility of the certificate, the tire rotation interval that is in your owners manual, requires
that it be done every 7,500 miles.

Jessica, please understand that the tire rewards program is completely different from the manufacturers warranty. Under the manufacturers warranty, you can definitely have any of your vehicles services done at ANY facility of your choice and keep it under warranty, as long as you have receipts to prove the maintenance was done.

The premise of our Performance Tire Rewards Program is similar to the idea of a punch card at ones local espresso shop. If one buys nine espressos at their location, they receive their tenth espresso for free. Different from the espresso example, this program (that was provided at no charge to you) is administered through an independent insurance company who verifies that all of the services have been done at Performance Kia, and then that independent insurance company pays out the insurance claim to pay for your full set of tires.

Ms. Berta, Performance Kia appreciates your continued business, and would like to help ease some of your frustration.  We have attempted to contact you several times over the last week in attempt to do so, and have not heard back.  Please contact Steve Lowry, at 425-609-5600, and he will work out special pricing for you to have your tires replaced.

Best regards,
Livingston Chaffee
General Manager
Performance Kia
(425) 609-5600